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Friday, January 31, 2014

Rachel has always been seen as a wild child, never committing or settling down. She wants it that way, so that no one ever finds out the truth. Deep down, she is crushed over something that happened years ago that resulted in losing the only man she ever loved. Then she meets someone who tries to convince her that she’s ready to commit again. But some things are not what they seem. Realizing too late that she’s in over her head, and with her life on the line, she comes face to face with her past in a way she never thought possible.
Devin was in love once, and it destroyed him, making him swear off love forever. After a promotion and subsequent move unexpectedly brings him into the middle of her dangerous situation, he must come face to face with his past and to the woman who broke him into pieces. But she needs help. Desperately. And maybe, just maybe, he didn't know the real truth of their past. Can he help her survive the terrible ordeal she's been through, and during it all, can he safeguard his heart from her? Or will the truth of the pain that has kept them apart show him that he can't live without her after all?

Rachel lifted her face and pressed a kiss to her favorite arm her spot. “Devin, all of these years, I’ve been trying so hard to replace you, to make my mind forget by filling it with…men. But, every time, Dev. Every single time, I was disappointed. No one can ever be you because you are the only one for me. And to answer your question, yes. I’m more than okay. That wasn’t just sex, Devin. That was you, bringing me back to life. I want to do that over, and over and over again. And next time,” she rolled over to face him, a glint in her eye. “I want it like I know you wanted to do it this time. Hard, fast, and in whatever position you want it. We had some fabulous times together. Let’s do that again.”
“I want nothing more than to do it all,” Devin said, his voice low. “But don’t mistake what just happened for me just being gentle on you. I wanted to make love to you, to show you what you mean to me. I can tell you all day long, but I wanted you to feel it; feel me. My heart is beating only for you. My body is yours. I love you, Rachel.”
She climbed back on top of him, pressing her body against him. “Devin,” she said, her face even with his. Pressing kisses to his eyes, nose, then lips, her body started shaking. Why was this so hard for her? She knew it like she knew her own name, but saying it was so difficult for her. “I…” She dipped her head down and kissed his ear, running her tongue along it, then his neck. When goose bumps broke out on his body, she grinned against his neck. Going back to his lips, she put her hands against his face and looked at him in the eyes. “I love your eyes,” she whispered. “And your face. God help me, that body is to die for. But Devin?”
“Yes.”
“What I really love?” Rachel paused, willing her body to stop quivering. “Is you. I always have.” There, that wasn’t so bad. “I have since the night I met you, and I’ve never stopped. All this time, all these years, it’s only been you for me, Dev. I know we have shit to work through. But, I love you. I do. I don’t think there will ever be a moment where I’m not completely and totally in love with you.”

About the Author

LL Collins is a teacher who loves spending her days in the Florida sun with her husband and boys, reading, and writing. Her love of writing has found a home in the self-publishing world. Living Again and Reaching Rachel are available on Amazon Barnes & Noble, Kobo and iBooks, in both eBook and paperback. LL has been writing since she was old enough to write. Always a story in her head, she finally decided to let the characters out and start writing and try to make her lifelong dreams of becoming an author come true. She has been a teacher for over ten years, a wife for 14, and a mom to two boys, 11 and 9.

Romance has met its most unlikely match-up… Luke Bradford is a chocolatier on a mission. After moving his chocolate shop, and newly single life, to the quirky town of Cactus Creek, Luke wants nothing more than to devote all his energy into making his business a success—by taking the romance market by storm. But his grand plans get thrown for a loop when he locks horns with the feisty beer-brewing beauty next door who calls his ‘romantic idealism’ a load of fairytale bull. Soon, driving the woman sparking nuts becomes another wickedly fun priority he simply can’t get enough of. In his defense, she’s addictively easy to incite…and plain impossible to resist.Beloved local brewmaster Dani Dobson is beyond riled up. It’s bad enough the new shop owner in town comes locked and loaded with both a distractingly rugged charm and sexy flashing dimples, but the whole only-in-the-movies variety of romance he’s selling—the kind her world has been crushed by before—is really doing a number on her allergy to unrealistic clichés. What’s worse, he’s created an annoyingly clever ad campaign that dubs ‘beer joints’ like hers as the “cave where romance goes to hibernate.” The nerve of that man. Combustible chemistry or not, damn it, this means war. The stakes…very likely, her heart.

His hand halted an inch from sliding
into her hair again, or rather, an inch from her now fully visible teeth.“Why do I get the feeling biting a hunk of
flesh out of me wouldn’t be beneath you”—Luke blinked, fascinated—“Did you just
growl at me?”

While he was now showing her the same
caution one would a feral cat, his heated gaze said he found her ferocity
inexplicably sexy.“Yes, I was smiling
about your drought; so sue me.I like
the thought of you not remembering any kisses but mine.”His eyes roamed her face.“To hell with it, I don’t need all ten
fingers…”He caressed her cheek and she
felt her eyelids drift closed at the touch.

“Dani, you in
there?”
bellowed Javier, one of her cooks from the kitchen.“Can
you bring out the—”His severed
request morphed into a muffled howl, a high octave just below soprano.“Never
mind,” he reneged in a squeaking gasp of male agony shortly after.

Dani winced, recognizing the audible
footprint of Xoey’s handiwork.The
mental image of Xoey de-balling poor Javier threw Dani back to the here and
now.As reality rushed in, she could
once again hear the bar noises sifting in under the door, smell the savory
aromas from the grill, and see—even in the semi-darkness—that she’d been
minutes from rounding a few of the bases with a perfect stranger.

Avoiding his eyes, she fiddled with her
bar apron.“I should probably get back
to work.”

“Right, of course.”He stood and helped her up.“Sorry, I never lose my head like that.Not sure what’s up with me...huh, that
sounded a lot dirtier than I intended—”He stopped and grinned when a ripple of amusement tinkled past her lips.

She couldn’t help but chuckle.This was fun; he was fun.

As she rolled the liquor cart to the door,
Dani racked her brain for a sexy comeback to keep the banter going.Not exactly her forte.

Luckily, she was saved from making a
conversational ass out of herself when he abruptly stepped in front of the cart
and said, “I know you have to get back out to the bar but I’ll never forgive
myself if I let you walk out this door without getting you to agree to have
dinner with me.”

He intertwined his fingers with hers
and drew her in close, turning an awkward moment into an insanely sexy one in a
few seconds flat.Lowering his head
slowly as if to give her a chance to say no, he laid a soft, barely there kiss
on her lips when she didn’t.

“Nice to meet you, Dani.”His two dimples flashed as he said her
name.“I’m Luke.”

Their magical, movie soundtrack moment
was interrupted, however, by a dread-filled, hushed voice on the other side of
the door.“Dani?”Javier’s whisper was
tinted with panic.“I’m really sorry but we need to get more coriander.”A low murmur joined his.“And
cooking tequila too.”

Dani screwed her eyes closed in
embarrassment and called out, “I’ll bring them out, guys.”

She was barely through her sentence
when she heard the two of them scrambling away from the door.There was definite cursing in Spanish.Along with some praying.

The sound of lethal pointy-toe boots
stomping after them was the obvious reason why.

“I really ought to get out there,” she
groan-laughed.“Cooking with one hand
while protecting their crotch from Xoey’s wrath probably isn’t all that
safe.Or sanitary.”

“As a protective guardian of the same
anatomy, and an avid non-fan of any variety of jockstrap cuisine, you have my
sincere appreciation.”His earnest look
caused another round of mirth to unwind through her.“Just so we’re clear,” he added quickly, “you
do know a kiss after a dinner invite is a universal ironclad yes, right?”His tone was matter-of-fact, his eyes
adorably optimistic.

“Just a few other things I won’t be
able to stop thinking about until our date,” he teased right back.

She stared at him for exactly one
missed heartbeat before that whole bout of temporary insanity she’d been
worrying about earlier flared up and caused her to do the most un-Dani thing
ever.

She tackled him.

Well, she sort of just pushed him back
into the storage room but in her mind it had been far more primitive.Hands on the ridges of his torso, she tugged
him in for one final kiss.

And released him a long minute later
with a whispered, “I’ll be thinking about those things too,” as she basically
floated to the door.

“Jesus
Christ.”Luke’s tortured breath
trailed close behind her.

By the feel of the rustling at the small
of her back, he was attempting to adjust the fit of his jeans.When that resulted in apparent failure, he
muttered in her ear, “You had to wait till after
I finally got my soldiers to stand down from earlier, didn’t you?”

If there was a complaint in there
somewhere, it was altogether undetectable.

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education who is ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romance novels. When she's not arguing with her story characters or feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, she enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools while trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first and cooking 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. Violet lives in Hawai'i with her two cute kids and similarly adorable husband.Find the latest on her books and weekly giveaways atwww.facebook.com/VioletDukeBooks

I'm not proud of the things I've done.The things I've had to do.The things I've given away.but I'd give it all over again to find her.Even if I die trying, I have to find Alexis.ZethShe wants me to help her,But I won't.She wants me to save her sister, But I can't. She wants me to be her hero, But I'm not a good man.I am her damnation.

Buy the Book

Synopsis

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

Excerpt

I met Sarah Kate Erickson seven years ago during a chance meeting at the local library. We were both reaching for the same William Shakespeare Collection. Our hands brushed, sparks flew, and it was love at first sight. We dated for three years, got married, and had sex for the very first time on our wedding night. Well, at least that is the story she made me promise to tell our future children.The truth is that, I met Sarah in a bar while she was approximately one drop of alcohol away from spending the night praying to the porcelain gods. She had on some ridiculously tight red dress and the tallest pair of black fuck-me heels I had ever seen. It was whore-tastic, but damn, she looked amazing. She was already tall for a woman, but in those cock-hardening shoes, she towered over the other women. Her friends were dressed in similarly sexy and in somewhat coordinating outfits. A collaborative effort that was no doubt on purpose.I watched as she asked for another drink from the bartender who stood staring at her partially exposed breasts for a beat too long. She reached across the bar, pushed one finger under his chin, and guided his gaze back to her eyes while she ordered drinks. She then turned and leaned her elbows behind her, propping herself up on the bar, and effectively thrusting her barely covered breasts into the face of every man in the room. It was then I knew I needed to meet them...I mean her...I had to meet her.Sure, staring at her was probably creepy as hell, but I just couldn't take my eyes off her. As cheesy as it sounds, there was just something about the tall blonde that commanded my attention. It didn't hurt that I got an insta-hard on when I thought about those long legs wrapped around my waist. Okay, so maybe staring wasn't the only creepy part.

About the Author

I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here!I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support.While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

After 12 years, 4 months and 1 and 1/2 weeks of marriage, his wife packs up and leaves with their daughter. So he writes an Indie novel. And it becomes a bestseller. Well, sort of.

His fame brings him the lifestyle of a rockstar, and he has the fan mail (i.e. female undergarments, probably clean) to prove it.
But seeing his fame, his wife suddenly believes in marriage counseling. Their homework: to create something beautiful for each other.
So he writes Our Story, his literary secret-weapon that will win his wife back. But in the process he discovers that true love is more than just ticking the right boxes on a checklist.

TEASER:

REVIEW:

5 STARS

I loved this book. I always love a story from a males perspective. I am not sure why. Maybe it is because I find some woman romance novels a bit whiny or too swoony. Don't get me wrong I do enjoy them every now and then, but give me a little more drama than a skank trying to get between the books main characters lol. Plus we, women, are very complicated creatures.

In a way this book was an emotional rollercoaster. The comical times help break up the seriousness that this book may have on people who lives hit close to home with the story line *raise hand* Life isn't always unicorns and rainbows. There are thunderclouds, tidal waves and those HUGE fucking pot holes in the road of life that sometimes we can't avoid. We hit them, pound our fists on the steering wheel, swear and wallow. But then we eventually have to put on the spare and continue driving. Morgan's non friction reminds you of that.

One thing I really enjoyed was the daughters perspective and dialogue in this book. I have read many books that included children but always played them as being oblivious to the situation and dumbed down their conversations. Children are more perceptive than that. The thoughts Evelyn had were amazing at times.

And then there's Morgan *sigh*. How could you not want to love him, fix him, slap him and tell him to wake up. I told you, ROLLERCOASTER! But one that you must ride...I mean read!

AUTHOR BIO:

Morgan Parker is the pen name for a shy and introverted former banker. Because he could never balance his cash at the end of the banking day, he made up stories in order to keep his job. None of those stories was Textual Encounters, which is great because readers will discover a truly unique and original romance that has never been told before.

Katie discovers an unlocked iPhone in the back seat of a taxi. But instead of turning it in to the driver as lost, she decides to keep it for herself.

Outside of the usual clutter you would expect to find on a smartphone, what captures Katie's interest is the single conversation she finds on the phone's secure text messaging service, a three-month dialogue between a woman with an uncertain past named Christine and a single, eligible man named Jake.
From Strangers to Soulmates in 90 Days
What starts out as a message intended for someone else ends up being the beginning of a relationship more powerful than anything Christine or Jake have ever experienced.
But nothing ever turns out to be as good as it initially seems and their histories slowly reveal details and past lovers that threaten to derail their humble quest for love.
Forgotten In The Back Seat of a New York City Taxi
Can Christine and Jake overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, doubts and secrets that endanger their love?
If so, why would such a relationship get forgotten in the back seat of a New York City taxi?
Presented in a Format Unlike Any Other You Will Find
Follow Katie as she reads through the 3 months of conversations that form The Christine + Jake Affair and provide the foundation for the Textual Encounters Trilogy

Having found a white iPhone in the back of a New York City cab, Katie orchestrates a "chance" meeting with Jake, the man of her dreams. Knowing more than she lets on, Katie develops a relationship with Jake that ultimately gets captured in text form. And those texts are passed along to the married woman that just lost Jake's baby.

Synopsis

Calvin Parish

They call me Hero.I defend.I protect.I ask for nothing in return, and that makes me good.Doesn’t it?That which makes me the ultimate predator also feeds dark impulses I’ve learned to control—until I bring her too close. For years I’ve watched her from afar, but what started out as duty has become obsession.

Cataline Ford

I work hard.I play by the rules.I’m content.My scars are quiet and invisible, and that keeps me hidden.Doesn’t it?One fateful walk home, I’m taken by someone I didn’t know I should fear. Captive and afraid, nobody will tell me why I’m confined to this hauntingly beautiful mansion. I’m given everything; I have nothing. He takes what he needs from me, and for that I hate him. But I might have loved him once.And just because you’re reading this doesn’t mean I survive him.

Excerpt

Because I’m lost in my thoughts, I don’t hear Cataline enter the room. Her tight black dress cuts across her mid-thighs, and her cleavage teases from a plummeting neckline. She’s done her makeup for probably the second time since arriving at the mansion.“What is this?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.“What?”Jasmine drifts under my nose as she walks away from me to her seat.“I told you not to dress up for dinner.”“I thought you’d like it,” she says, lowering herself gracefully into the chair. Her back is straight as a rod, and her fingers are laced. “You don’t?”Norman decorates the table with food as I stare Cataline down. He clears his throat. “For dinner, we have—”“Leave us.”He pauses. Though my eyes are still fastened on Cataline, I know he’s watching me as he bows his head. “As you wish, sir.”I stand and slowly walk the line of the long table. My footsteps echo through the hall, appropriately menacing. I’ve just come from a burning building but am back in my suit and tie to maintain appearances. And my ridiculous glasses, which I remove and toss aside. She’ll believe I’ve just returned from the office. When I’m standing over her, she tugs up the neckline of the dress and blinks at me. I resist smirking as she tucks hair behind her ear twice.“Well,” she says, “aren’t we going to eat?”“I’m going to eat.”“I’m not?”“As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one meal at this table, and it’s you.”My ears pick up her slow swallow, my eyes the curl of her hands in her lap. “That sounds like a threat,” she says quietly.I bend over, flatten one hand on the table and wrap the other around the arm of her chair. “It’s not. This is a threat: if you’re not naked and spread out on this table in two seconds, I’m going to spank you so hard, you won’t know up from down.”

Monday, January 27, 2014

How can you continue living when you’re living a lie? How can you convince your body to stop feeling, your soul to stop caring, and your heart to stop beating?
Haunted by her past, Olivia Adler flees Boston for a beach in Florida, leaving everyone behind, trying to shut the world out. Remaining a relative recluse in her self-imposed prison, she tries to turn everything off, wanting to feel nothing. But a new acquaintance won’t let that happen. After being away from Alexander for a month, his voice constantly ringing in her head, reminding her that her inability to confront her demons will not only destroy her, but also him, can she really be expected to want to feel again when it brings nothing but pain?
Back in Boston, everywhere he turns, Alexander Burnham is reminded of Olivia… His Olivia… He tries to dull the ache left in his heart the only way he knows how… in the bed of a beautiful woman. But Alexander isn’t about to lose his Olivia. After a clue comes to light regarding Olivia’s whereabouts, can he convince her to return to Boston with him? When a force that has laid dormant for months resurfaces, can Alexander still protect her from the unknown danger? And when Alexander comes face to face with a shadow of both his and Olivia’s past, will he be able to tell her the secret that is threatening to tear them apart?
A Tragic Wreck is the continuation of T.K. Leigh’s heart-breaking Beautiful Mess series.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. One moment I was laughing and the next I was literally crying (I think my husband might think I've totally lost my mind). And in between the laughter and crying I was swept up in romance and the suspense of it all. T.K. Leigh manages to bring me to my knees emotionally through her obviously carefully selected words. … Needless to say this book is a must read. Once you start you will NOT be able to stop. I give it a solid 6 stars out of 5. That's right, for the second time since I started reviewing books I'm giving this book a 6 out of 5 star rating. It really is just that good. - Book Cracker Caroline
My honest opinion is i'm speechless, just couldn't get enough of this awesome book, let alone put it down. This book had you gripping on the edge, waiting to see what happens, with a lot of twist and turns and heartache in the process. - Booky Ramblings
This is a fantastic series and I cannot wait to find out what happens next. This is a must read!! - Who Picked This
This is an extremely well-written, edge-of-your-seat, page-flipping action, suspense, love, and friendship story. I absolutely LOVE this story. - Page Princess

A Beautiful Mess (Book One in the Beautiful Mess Series)

What happens when you lose everyone that promised they would always be there for you? How can you protect the few pieces of your shattered heart that remain?
Olivia Adler is a woman with a troubled past. After losing her parents at the young age of six and being raised by an uncle who she lost years later, she refuses to get attached to anyone, including friends. For the past decade, she has been able to remain unattached to any man, too worried about losing someone to get too close. Until Alexander Burnham walks into her life one night and changes everything. But he has issues of his own. And he’s keeping a secret that could turn her world upside-down. Will Olivia let Alexander in enough for him to get close and protect her from a force threatening her very existence, or will she push him away, scared of letting Alexander in, in order to protect her heart?
A Beautiful Mess is the first installment of a three part series sure to captivate the heart with a story of secrets, courage, and love.

T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is a producer / attorney by trade. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog and three cats, all of which she has rescued (including the husband). She always had a knack for writing, but mostly in the legal field. It wasn’t until recently that she decided to try her hand at creative writing and is now addicted to creating different characters and new and unique story lines in the Contemporary Romantic Suspense genre.
Her debut novel “A Beautiful Mess” has garnered relative praise, having been an Amazon Best Seller, an Amazon Top-Rated book. Recently, the book was named by The Guardian as a top reader-recommended self-published book of 2013 as well as a 2013 Reader’s Favorite in Publisher’s Weekly in addition to being named an Amazon Romance Editor’s Fan Favorite for Top Debut Author and Best Page Turner.
When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found running and training for her next marathon (of which she has run over fifteen fulls and far too many halfs to recall). Unlike Olivia, the main character in her Beautiful Mess series, she has yet to qualify for the Boston Marathon.